Ivory Restoration
Antique boxes of all kinds, tea caddies, picture frames and candlesticks were made from or veneered with ivory, particularly items manufactured in the Far East, India, China and Japan.
Ivory was also extensively used as a contrasting material to tortoiseshell, mother of pearl or wood. As such it was used along the inside edges or lips of boxes, as stringing between panels of rosewood or tortoiseshell, or inserted as a medallion or escutcheon. Turned ivory feet and tray lid pulls were also extremely common in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Blonde Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
This pretty 18th century octagonal blonde tea caddy, had earlier received some poor restoration work. Originally the tortoiseshell panels would have been divided by ivory lines. These had probably fallen out over time and had been replaced with painted wood and filler.
As part of of the overall restoration of this caddy, these ivory lines were restored, as can be seen in the following before and after photographs.
Anglo Indian Reeded Ivory Work Box
When purchased at auction, this lovely Anglo Indian ivory box was in one piece, although in need of some attention. By the time it arrived at its destination, it looked like it had been used as a football! Many hours had to be spent just putting this jigsaw back together again.
Engraved Anglo Indian Vizagapatam Work Box
Ivory and wood tend to pull against each other over the years. This often results in bad warpage of both the ivory and wood, and the ivory often cracks.
The following photographs illustrate this point showing one of many such boxes we have restored over the years.
Octagonal Ivory Tented Caddy
The following four photographs show a little of the process of restoring a tea caddy that has warped and changed shape over time. There is no easy way of remedying this problem, and restoration involves a very time-consuming rebuild of the caddy.
18th Century Inlaid Rosewood Lap Desk
Ivory was used extensively as a decorative inlay in woods such as rosewood and ebony particularly in the 18th century. Through bad handling or shrinkage losses often occur within the ivory design. In the case illustrated below the front right corner had been damaged by water and the ivory inlay lost.
Japanese Ivory Group
This charming 19th century Japanese ivory group was sent to us in pieces. This photo shows the pieces re-assembled, prior to making and fitting several small missing parts.
Jewelry Box Ivory Lip Restoration
A very common problem is cracked or missing ivory lips on all types of antique boxes and caddies, particularly around the lock or hinge areas. Whereas a little damage is acceptable on antique items, the damage to this pretty French jewellery box had to be repaired.
18th Century Ivory Snuff Mull
Ivory often develops a wonderful creamy through to yellow colour over the years. This snuff mull awaiting work on the hinge and lip areas shows how rich the colour can become.
